HOW TO SOW A NEW LAWN tagged posts

There is nothing as pleasant and relaxing as a well-tended lawn meadow, the best space to enjoy the garden with play, rest or simple contemplation. The lawn is one of the fundamental elements of our gardens: it is present in most of them and also occupies a large part of the available surface. In addition, it is an ideal base in which trees and shrubs stand out.

Grass meadow in the gardens of El Capricho, Madrid.

When deciding to plant a lawn there are some considerations to consider. The first is ecological. With a country like Spain, halfway to desertification, it is advisable to consider whether the grass is the best alternative. It is a good idea in regions with high rainfall rates where practically watering alone. On the other hand is the maintenance. A well-kept and healthy grassland involves a series of jobs and also expenses that we must be willing to take on.

Before planting a lawn, the type of seed should be selected based on factors such as utilization or location. If we are going to give it an aesthetic use, it is advisable to use an English type lawn. For all types of soils we have the rustic grass and if we want to be resistant to trampling, as when sports and games are practiced in it, we must use grass seeds for intensive use. As for the situation, there are types of shade grass for little sunny or humid areas. The rustic Mediterranean lawn is ideal for areas with strong sunshine.

Lawn plantation

It is possible that where we want to install the lawn now there is only a wild terrain, full of weeds and unknown thickets, perhaps abandoned for years. Do not be discouraged, following these simple steps will end up getting our beautiful meadow.

The first thing before preparing the ground, is to remove all the vegetation . It is best to do it by hand, based on hoe and patience. It is not advisable to use herbicides, as indiscriminate as not very ecological.

The next thing is to work the soil thoroughly . To do this, they dig and remove about 20 cm. Of the upper layer, until the earth is well let loose and free of the stones and roots that we will also remove. If the land is poor, you can provide mulch or organic fertilizer, so that it improves the quality of it. Finally, rake the entire surface so that it is even.

Then the ground must be compacted until it is flat, compact and level. We can use a roller for the purpose or some homemade invention, like a small earth-filled drum.

Now it is time to plant the seeds . The seeds are distributed by hand, so that they are spread evenly throughout the land. For this it is best to make several passes in perpendicular directions. To protect the seeds are covered with mulch or soil. You can also incorporate some sand if the soil is rather clayey, to improve aeration and drainage. In any case, this layer of soil on the seeds will not be very thick so that the shoots can traverse it without difficulty. Sowing the lawn should never be done if it threatens rain, so that the showers do not wash the soil and drag the seeds.

All we have to do is water our imminent lawn. It is best to do it without soaking, with a fine rain, as the sprinklers throw, not to remove the soil and to expose the seeds. This should be repeated as long as it takes for the soil to dry. We must not step on the newly planted prairie and we will watch over the birds and the ants so they do not feed on our seeds. If the latter become very heavy, it may be necessary to fumigate.

Soon the grass will begin to sprout and a few weeks we can enjoy our meadow.